disciplinarian
Americannoun
adjective
noun
adjective
Etymology
Origin of disciplinarian
First recorded in 1575–85; discipline + -arian
Explanation
A disciplinarian is someone who expects you to follow a very strict set of rules. Many disciplinarians also believe in using harsh punishments for those who break those rules. The word disciplinarian is all about discipline, which originally meant "punishment for the sake of correction." The Latin root, disciplina, was a lot more about teaching, instruction, and knowledge than punishment, though. Today, a disciplinarian's intent is both to instruct by means of explicit rules and to punish when those rules aren't followed. If your disciplinarian parents tell you to take the trash out, you're probably quick to follow their instructions.
Vocabulary lists containing disciplinarian
Power Suffix: -arian
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Facing the Lion
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Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The family was conservative; her dad, a disciplinarian.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025
His father, James Earl Carter Sr., known as Mr. Earl, was a strict disciplinarian and a conservative businessman of some means.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2024
The disciplinarian of China Inc. has turned cheerleader.
From New York Times • Jan. 12, 2023
Johnson described his new Wing Commander as "arrogant, bombastic, a strict disciplinarian, but one of the best pilots in Bomber Command".
From BBC • Dec. 8, 2022
He had the reputation of being the strictest disciplinarian in the camp, and was proud of it.
From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
